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Hermione rushed into the room when she heard Ron’s cries. It was almost an instinct to rush to her best friend’s aid, to find out what she could do to help him when she heard his cries of despair. But when she saw him crouching over Fred’s lifeless body, she knew there was nothing she could do. There was nothing anyone could do. She and Harry stood back and let the Weasley’s have a moment, though she wanted nothing more than to run up and hug them all. Harry put his arm around her shoulder, and she buried her face in him, allowing herself to cry for just a minute.

She barely knew Fred. She wished she had. He really seemed like a great guy, and all she ever did was give him a hard time. The Weasleys finally pulled themselves away from Fred, and Harry and Hermione decided it was time to pay their condolences. They walked slowly to the group of redhead and went around, giving each of them a hug. Hermione hugged Molly extra tight, knowing how hard it must be for a mother to lose her child. She hugged Ron for the longest, partly because she wanted to help her best friend, and partly because he didn’t seem to want to let go. Lastly, she came to George. She didn’t even know where to begin with him. He looked at her for a minute, and then threw his arms around her, sobbing. It was odd seeing George without a smile on his face. She wondered in passing if she would ever see him smile again.

“You know, he always liked you.” He whispered in between sobs. George’s words took Hermione by surprise. She hadn’t known. She looked at his lifeless body over George’s shoulder, and for the first time she acknowledged her own feelings. She had never really thought about it, but she was pretty sure she had liked him too. Or at least she could have. But now she would never know.

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The battle had been won. It seemed that the worst was over. But as Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat in the Great Hall, surrounded by dead bodies, debris, and crying friends and family, Hermione couldn’t help but wonder if the worst was yet to come.

From behind one of the fallen pillar, Hermione saw Professor McGonagall discreetly motioning her over.

“I’ll be right back.” Hermione assured her friends as she headed over to the professor.

“Follow me.” Professor McGonagall said. Curiously, she followed as McGonagall led her into the headmaster’s office. Her office now, Hermione supposed.

“What is this about, professor?” Hermione asked. “Why are we sneaking around?”
“Today has been a day of devastating losses.” Professor McGonagall said as she sat down in the huge chair. “The past few years have been.”

Hermione sank down into the chair across the desk. “I know. Professor Lupin, Tonks, Professor Dumbledore, Fred.” She stopped at the last one, feeling more of a sting than she thought she would.

“Exactly. But I can’t help but wonder…” she stopped, thinking hard about what she was going to say.

“Wonder what, professor?” Hermione prodded.

“I can’t help but wonder if all of this was really necessary. If all of these people had to die to accomplish out goals.”

Hermione was confused. “Well no, I’m sure they didn’t all have to die, but I’m not really sure…”

She stopped as she saw Professor McGonagall pull a time turner from one of the desk drawers.

“The time turner? But you told me that messing with time was difficult. You told me it was only meant to be…” Hermione started, but the professor interrupted her.

“Ms. Granger, I think you and I both know that an extraordinary magical object like this is meant for far greater purposes than taking extra classes.” She answered, a hint of mischievousness in her eye.

“Professor, are you saying all of these people can be saved?” Hermione clarified.

“No,” McGonagall answered. “But maybe some of them can be. You can go back in time and relive your last few years at Hogwarts. I think going back to your fourth year should do. If you come across a situation that needs to be changed, do your best to do so.”

“You want me to try to change history? Isn’t that insanely dangerous?” Hermiuone asked. She was getting more and more intrigued and leaning her arms on the desk.

“There are always fixed points in time, things that must happen in order for things to work out the way that they are supposed to. But anything else can be changed. Anything that needs to happen will happen, regardless of how hard you work to stop it. And anyone that you can save will be an improvement from where we are now. It’s dangerous, but I don’t believe you can make things any worse.”

Hermione frowned. “Professor, don’t you think that someone else would be better suited for this? Harry?”

McGonagall laughed. “What do you think Harry would do if I asked him to repeat four years of school?” Hermione laughed. She was right. Harry would hate that.

“Ok, then why not just go back to the night Harry’s parents died and kill Voldemort then?” Hermione asked, still a little bit worried about what she was being asked to do.

“I’m pretty sure if anything is a fixed point, that night would qualify. No, Voldemort has to come to power and we all have to fight him. But maybe there don’t have to be so many casualties.” McGonagall explained.

“Ok, so what am I supposed to do? What are my priorities?” Hermione asked, finally resigning herself to what she needed to do.

“Fix our mistakes. Save people from death. Save people from themselves. Do whatever you feel is best.” McGonagall answered.

“And what about the younger me? Won’t people notice if there are two of me running around?

“You’ll have to wipe her memories, unfortunately. Make her forget that she’s a witch, and do the same to your parents. Then send them to live in muggle world. When you get back to the time you left, you will rejoin with her and your memories will return. I understand you’ve already taken away your parents’ memories, so you’ll just return them to them as you were originally planning. It does mean you will have to live the next few years of your life without them, though.”

Professor McGonagall stopped, seeing how overwhelmed Hermione was getting. “I know this a lot to ask of you. But I trust you understand how important this could be. Even if just a few of the people we lost could be saved, it would make a huge difference.”

“I know. I can do it.” Hermione answered.

Professor McGonagall nodded. “I knew I could count on you.” She handed her the time turner. “Go. Quickly.”

Hermione turned to leave. “Oh, and Ms. Granger?” She added. Hermione turned back. “Remember that I will have no memory of sending you back. When you return to today, I won’t even know. You’re on your own. And you can’t tell anyone about our plan. But good luck. I have faith in you.”

Hermione nodded and turned to leave, the huge office doors slamming behind her. Taking a deep breath, she slipped the time turner around her neck and ran as fast as she could off the Hogwarts grounds.

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Once she was safely off the grounds, Hermione apparated herself back to her home. She saw a young couple in the window and suddenly remembered that her parents didn’t live here anymore. She was a little saddened by the sight of someone else living in her parents’ house, but she quickly pushed the emotion from her mind and ducked into a bush, pulling out the time turner.

Hermione sat there turning the dial for what seemed like an eternity and watched the years fly by in reverse. She saw her parents move away. She watched herself leave the house after wiping their memories. She watched as she and her parents walked in and out of the house, time after time, until one day she watched a 14 year old Hermione lugging a large trunk out the door. When she went back inside, Hermione sneaked in with her. She hid behind a door until the time was right.

As she stood there, she caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror and was shocked to see that she looked 14 again. She hadn’t really thought about what people would think when they saw how she had aged three years seemingly overnight, but she was happy to see that she had gone back in years, even if she couldn’t exactly explain why.

When her former self went into the bedroom to double check for anything else she needed, Hermione took the opportunity to wipe her parents’ memories. To her surprise, it was harder to do the second time, but she took comfort in the fact that they wouldn’t really be without her this time. Next, she dashed into the bedroom to wipe her own memories. While the other Hermione’s back was turned, she took away all her memories of being a witch and pocketed her wand. Then she quickly jumped out the open window before she could be seen.

The Weasleys met her in front of the house as promised to take her to the Quidditch World Cup. Arthur helped her put her trunk in the car as Ron got out to give her a hug.

“Why are you waiting out here?” Mr Weasley asked. “I was going to come inside so that I could say hello to your parents.”

Hermione tensed up a little. She should have expected this. “They’re… um… sick.” Yeah, both of them. They came down with some kind of weird bug, but it seems pretty contagious so they told me to wait out here so you don’t have to come in and get exposed. But they told me to tell you hello.”

Arthur shrugged, thankfully seeming to buy the story, and got back into the driver’s seat of the car. Hermione climbed into the back, surprised to see Fred and George sitting in the back of the car. She knew that he would be alive, but it was strange seeing him there when, just an hour before, she had been standing over his dead body. She had to say though, she was relieved.

“Hi, Fred!” She said, beaming at him. Quickly, she greeted George as well so as not to be accused of playing favorites.

“Hey! I’m George!” Fred said, faking being offended. Hermione laughed. “No, you’re Fred. I can tell because your smiles are a little bit different, and George, your hair is a little bit darker and…” She was about to add that Fred had both of his ears, unlike his brother, but she quickly reminded herself that currently, George was also in possession of both of his ears. “I can just tell.” She finished.

They shook their heads in unison. “She’s a smart one, Georgie.” Fred said. George nodded. “We can’t slip anything past her. Even mum gets confused sometimes, but even we can’t fool the great Hermione Granger!”

Hermione laughed as the car took off and began flying toward The Burrow. Hermione sighed. She hadn’t really realized how much she had missed Fred, even just for the hour he was gone. She didn’t think she could bear to see him die again, so she hoped with all her might that she wouldn’t have to. Maybe, just maybe, she could save him.

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Hermione loved The Burrow and the people who lived there. She had always been so happy that she had this house to take refuge in, but she was even more grateful this time around since she really had nowhere else to go.

When Mr Weasley landed the car in the front yard, everyone hurried out and Hermione began trying to lift her heavy trunk out of the car, but it wouldn’t budge. Everyone else had gone to greet Harry, who had just apparated over with Percy, but Fred stayed behind. He stood behind Hermione and snickered a little as he watched her try (and fail) to move the trunk.

She looked back at him and rolled her eyes. “If you’re going to stay, the least you could do is help.”

Fred grinned and walked slowly over to the car. He put one hand on the handle of the trunk, his fingers barely touching hers as they locked eyes. “Of course, ‘Mione. All you had to do was ask.” He said as he effortlessly pulled the trunk from the car.

She rolled her eyes again and followed Fred into the house as he carried her trunk up to Ginny’s room. She wanted to be annoyed. She really did. He was just so snarky and arrogant… She stopped. What was the word she was looking for? Charming? Yes, that was it. In spite of it all, she couldn’t help herself. Fred Weasley was incredibly charming. And the more she thought about it and what was supposed to happen to him, the more she resigned herself to what she had somehow known all along but had never acknowledged until she saw his lifeless body. She liked Fred.
She liked Fred. All this time, she thought it was ROn. Maybe it was because it was so incredibly obvious that Ron liked her, it was easier to let herself fall for Ron. But now she knew it was just misplaced feelings for his older brother.

She followed Fred up the stairs and into Ginny’s room where he placed her trunk down by the empty bed. Ginny came rushing up the stairs and hugged Hermione tightly. She hugged her friend back but the whole time, she was looking over Ginny’s shoulder at Fred, who smiled widely at Hermione and winked before exiting the room.

Ginny released Hermione and sat down on the bed, where she looked down at the trunk. “What was Fred doing carrying your trunk?”

Hermione shrugged. “I don’t know. He saw me struggling with it. He offered.” Ginny just laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Hermione asked. Ginny shrugged. “Oh I don’t know. I mean, all of my brothers are extremely kind, selfless people, none more so than Fred. But he doesn’t go out of his way to do kind things for just anyone. Sure, he’ll be nice to everyone, but only a few people get to see what a great guy he really is." "What are you saying, Gin?" Ginny laughed. "I'm saying that Ron may not be the only one of brothers that you've got wrapped around your finger." Just then, there was a knock at the door. Ginny got p and opened it to find Harry standing at the door, grinning. "I heard Hermione was here!" He smiled. Hermione rushed to hug him. "Good to see you, Harry!" She let him go and looked at him for a moment. She was amazed to see how young he looked. Everyone looked younger than they had when she left them, but Harry somehow seemed like he had changed even more. He looked so young, so innocent. Suddenly, she felt even more sorry for him than she ever had, knowing what he was going to have to endure the next few years. He'd already been through so much, but it was only just beginning. She hugged him again, determining that she would do anything to spare her friend from as much of that heartache as she could. Now that she knew what was going to happen, maybe she could be of even more help to him. Fred came up the stairs to inform the three of then that Mrs. Weasley was ready with dinner. As she saw Fred's smile for the fourth time since he had died, she decided that he would be her top priority. But this wasn't for Harry, at least not primarily. It wasn't even for Ginny and Ron and the rest of the Weasleys. No, this she was doing for herself. Because she couldn't bear to see him die again. Because if he died, she would never be able to explore this feeling and where it could take her.

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Dinner at The Burrow was always an event. The food was always delicious and never in short supply, and the table was always full of people, laughing and talking. Hermione loved eating with the Weasleys. It was her favorite part of staying with them because it made her feel a part of a big family, something she had always sort of wished she had.

Ginny, Fred, Harry, and Hermione were the last to arrive at the table, and there were four seats left, all next to each other. Fred took the seat next to George and Harry next to Ron, leaving two in the middle. Ginny grinned and took the seat next to Harry, leaving Hermione no choice but to sit next to Fred. She blushed a little as she took the seat and began filling her plate.

Throughout the meal, Fred passed her food and she could just barely feel their fingers touch underneath the bowl. She tried to tell herself it was accidental, but the look in his eye as he made perfect eye contact made her wonder.

After dinner, everyone began preparing for the trip to the Quidditch World Cup the next day. The house was full of people, running frantically about, packing and looking for lost items in preparation for the trip. Hermione bumped into several people in the process, mumbling an apology and going about her business.

As the chaos died down, Hermione picked up her bag and threw it at the foot of the stairs with everyone else's. She then headed back up the stairs to take a shower begore bed, but she bumped into one more person along the way.

"Sorry." She mumbled, about to make her way past the person without even fully realizing who it was. She caught a glimpse of Fred, fresh out of the shower. He wasn't wearing a shirt, of course, and his hair was still slightly wet. She didn't know how long she stood there gaping at him, but it was long enough to elicit one of Fred's signature smirks.

"Didn't your mother ever teach you that it's not polite to stare, 'Mione?" He smiled. "Even if there are attractive shirtless men in front of you."

She started to say something smart mouthed, but she stopped herself, noticing how many times (she thought) Fred had been flirting with her tonight. It had to have been more times than the first time she lived this day. Maybe she was just paying more attention, but she didn't remember Fred doing this before. She smiled. Retorting with a sarcastic comment was what she would have done the last time. No, this time she would do things differently.

"Sorry, Fred." She gave him her best smile and pushed past him, putting her hand on his chest as she did. He grabbed her hand and stared at her for a second, locking eyes as he pulled her back to his other side.

He stared at her for what seemed like a lifetime, although it must have only been a few seconds, all the while not letting go of her hand. Was he going to... she wondered if maybe he might. But no. He hadn't done it the last time, and surely one flirty smile and a hand on his chest wasn't enough to change things dramatically. Still, she wondered if he might.

Finally, Fred smiled and dropped her hand. "I was going this way." He grinned, walking backwards toward his room. "You were in my way!" He walked through the door, not breaking eye contact with her as she stood motionless at the end of the hall, not at all sure what just happened. "Goodnight, Hermione!" He called as he peeked his head out of the door.

"Goodnight, Fred." She answered, almost in a whisper. She headed back to Ginny's room and then jumped a little when she saw Ginny standing in the doorway, a knowing smile on her lips.

Hermione shoved Ginny into the room. "Shut up!"

"I didn't say anything!" Ginny laughed. Hermione rummaged through her trumk and pulled out her pajamas and soap, heading to the shower. "You didn't have to."

Ginny smiled. "I really thought he was going to kiss you!" Hermione faked being annoyed and threw a pillow at Ginny on her way out of the room, but as she left, she whispered to herself "So did I."

And she couldn't help but notice as she turned on the shower, that she hadn't stopped smiling since Fred had told her goodnight.

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The whole group was headed up into the stands at the World Cup, and everyone was talking about Krum. "I'll bet he catches the snitch in the first five minutes." Ron wagered.

Fred laughed. "No way. Even he's not that good. It'll take him at least twenty."

Hermione smiled. There wasn't any reason she couldn't have a little fun with this. "I'll bet Krum catches the snitch but Bulgaria still loses the game."

"That's... oddly specific." Fred said, glad to see Hermione getting involved in the antics.

"And highly unlikely." Ron finished. "That doesn't happen very often, especially not with a top notch seeker like Krum. Maybe you should leave the wagering to the professionals." Hermione rolled her eyes. Ron could be a bit of an idiot.

"I don't know, the Great Hermione Granger is rarely wrong." Fred pointed out. She smiled, happy to see that Fred was the one standing up for her. "I'll take that bet!" Fred told her. "What do you say? 2 Galleons?"

Hermione laughed and shook her head. "I don't want to take your money." Fred's eyes widened. "What makes you so sure you're going to be taking my money?" Hermione shrugged. "I just know."

"Alright then, let's make it interesting. The winner gets to make the loser do whatever they want until we return to school next week." Fred said.

Hermione nodded and held out her hand. "Sounds like a deal!" Fred took her hand, holding it for an exceptionally long time, Hermione noticed, and then turned to George. "Hey, Georgie! I just got me a new servant!"

George smiled. "Good. Can you make her do our laundry?" Fred nodded. "Good call."

Hermione tried to hide the smile that preyed on her lips, but it was hard. What was she going to have Fred do for her?

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"How did you know that, Hermione?" Harry asked her after the game. Hermione shrugged. "Lucky guess I suppose."

Fred shook his head. "I guess we'll have to do our own laundry, George."

Back at the tent, the boys were up to their usual antics, dancing around, singing, talking about Krum. Hermione smiled and closed her book, turning to Fred.

"Fred?" He was too busy yelling. No answer. She tapped him on the shoulder. "Fred!"

Fred turned. "Yes, master?" Fred tried to sound annoyed, but she thought for sure she saw a ghost of a smile on his lips.

"I'm so thirsty!" Hermione said. Fred rolled his eyes and walked over to the snack stash in the corner of the tent, bringing back a bottled butter beer and returning to the boys. She smiled as she opened the bottle. This could be fun. And she couldn't help but notice Fred glancing at her throughout the night, quickly turning away when he saw her taking notice.

"What was that?" Ron shouted a moment later as they all heard a loud crash from outside the tent. Hermione, knowing what was coming, almost instinctively ran to Fred's side as they all ran outside to get a better look. When they were outside and saw the chaos around them, Fred grabbed Hermione's hand and drug her away.

"What are you doing?" Hermione whispered as Fred pulled her behind another tent.

"I'm protecting you! Isn't that my job as your servant?" He smiled.

"But... I didn't ask you to protect me." She whispered. She was surprised, but she had to admit she wasn't upset about it. She became infinitely happier when she thought she heard him whisper "This I'm doing because I want to."

Fred never left her side as they raced through the chaos, avoiding curses cast by Death Eaters and looking for the rest of the group. When everything finally died down, and they found Mr. Weasley, Hermione noticed that Fred had not let go of her hand the entire time. It had just become so natural, so safe, she actually forgot he had it. As they approached his father, Fred dropped her hand quickly. That she did notice. She also couldn't help but notice the looks Fred gave her on the long walk back to the portkey, the glances he continued to shoot down to her hand, and how empty her palm felt without his in it.

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Diagon Alley was full of people, just as it usually is on the day before the Hogwarts Express arrived. Mr and Mrs Weasley had allowed the kids to go by themselves, which of course made them all very happy.

"I need to get textbooks." Ron groaned. Harry nodded. "I'll go with you. The bookshop is right next to Quality Quidditch Supplies, and I need some more broom polish. Ginny was never one to separate herself from Harry, and George tagged along too, mumbling something about also needing Quidditch supplies. He shot a little glance at Fred and smiled. "You wouldn't mind picking me up a new robe, would you Gred?"

Fred laughed. "No, not at all Forge!" Hermione was sure that she saw George glancing at her and then back at Fred.

"Well, I guess you're coming with me, 'Mione. It's probably for the best. You may need protecting or serving or something. And I am here for you!" He grinned at her and Hermione couldn't help but smile.

Hermione was honestly amazed that she and Fred had managed to get themselves alone. It seemed as though Ginny, and maybe even George, were trying to throw them together. She wondered in passing if George's attempts to set her up with his brother meant that Fred already liked her, but she quickly pushed the thought from her head. "Let things play out." She told herself. "Just enjoy the time you have."

They finished at Madam Malkin's rather quickly, getting new robes for themselves and everyone else who needed them. "I think that's all we needed to get." Fred said as they walked out of the store. Hermione handed her bags to her servant, who willingly took them. "Do you want to go get some butterbeer and wait for everyone else?" She asked innocently.

Fred nodded and they walked together to the Leaky Cauldron. She couldn't help but notice how dangerously close his hand was to hers. She thought seriously about grabbing his, but stopped herself. Holding hands to stay together while running from Death Eaters is far different than walking hand in hand to get a drink together. Fred may not want that.

"You go get a table." Fred said. "I'll get the drinks." He handed her the bags and Hermione found a small table in the back and used the bags to save the seat across from her. When Fred came back with the drinks, she gestured toward the chair with the bags, but he either didn't notice or didn't care because Fred sat down directly next to her. At first it seemed a little awkward, sitting right next to Fred as they talked. But it soon became natural and Hermione found herself absentmindedly scooting closer to him, wanting to be closer to him.

"Surely the new one will last more than a year!" Fred laughed.

Hermione shook her head. "I don't know, we've had a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher every year that I've been at Hogwarts." Fred admitted that it had been the same for his first year at Hogwarts as well, but he was certain that this year would be different.

Hermione smiled. She enjoyed talking to Fred. And even though she knew she was right, she let him win this argument and just sighed. "Maybe you're right."

The two fell silent for a bit. Hermione was surprised at how natural the conversation felt with Fred. They seemed to flow from one topic to the next with great ease, simply enjoying each other's company. Time seemed to fly by and she soon gorgot the nervousness she had felt when they first entered the Leaky Cauldron. As it hit her again how Fred was supposed to die in just a few short years, she wished so much that she had taken advantage of the time she had with him the first time and allowed herself to have conversations like this with him before they could be so easily tainted by what was to come. Still, she was reminded of how much more she had with him before that time came, and she allowed herself to hope again that she would be able to change Fred's fate.

She realized that this was actually the first silence that they had had this afternoon, but she was surprised to find that even that wasn't incredibly awkward. Finally, Fred spoke. "So you and my brother..."

"What about him?" Hermione asked. Fred refused to look up from his shoes. "Are you two..."

"There you two are!" She heard from behind her and she was jolted out of her conversation as both she and Fred turned abruptly. Ginny stood at the front of the pack, Harry and the other Weasley brothers behind her, all carrying huge stacks of books. They all came over to the table and began dropping the heavy stacks as they pulled up chairs and crowded around the small table.

Hermione was both glad and a little angry with the interruption. She wanted to be with Fred, and she wanted to tell him how she felt. Still, there was a part of her that was just not quite ready to tell him yet.

Chapter Text

It was their last night at The Burrow before they returned to Hogwarts, and Hermione had debated long and hard about if she should tell Fred how she felt. If she played her cards right, and played them soon enough, she might be able to make him ask her to the Yule Ball. She really would much rather go with him than with Viktor, or even Ron. Still, she found herself becoming insecure. What if he didn't like her back? Or didn't like her yet? George hadn't said when it had started. It seemed like he might have been flirting, but she wasn't sure. Maybe she was just looking for it.

With all the thoughts about Fred working themselves out in her head, and with the excitement of a new school year starting tomorrow, she couldn't sleep. So she took a book and headed downstairs.

Harry was the only one still awake, drinking a glass of water by the dying fireplace. "Hey Hermione." he greeted. "I was just about to go to bed."

Hermione shook her head. "Don't leave on my account. I'm always jittery the day before a new school year so I'll probably be up for a while, but you won't bother me."

Harry nodded and sat down again, warming his hands by the fire. "I'm just hoping for a normal year at Hogwarts this year. Do you think that's possible?"

Hermione couldn't help but let out a loud laugh, mostly because she knew that this year would be their year that was furthest from normal, for a variety of reasons. Harry seemed disturbed, so she simply responded "I think a normal year at Hogwarts is, by definition, abnormal."

Harry laughed too. "You're probably right. Well, goodnight Hermione." She nodded and opened her book. "Goodnight, Harry."

Hermione spread herself out on the couch and found herself so engrossed in it (as she usually is) that she didn't even notice Fred coming down the stairs until he plopped himself down next to her.

"Fred! Hi!" She said, hurriedly moving her feet. He smiled and picked them back up, placing them in his lap. "I never did get to ask you my question this afternoon. Are you and Ron... like... a thing?"

Hermione laughed. "A thing?" His choice of words seemed so nervous and juvenile, but in a way it made him all the more endearing.

"No we are not a thing." Hermione answered confidently.

"But... you want to be?" Fred guessed.

"No, not really." Though Hermione knew that she now liked Fred and not Ron, she was surprised at how easily the answer came. She spent so long wishing they were a couple, it was nice to finally be able to say that she didn't want to be with him. It would definitely make the whole Lavender debacle in a few years much easier to handle.

"That's good because..." Fred started.

Hermione told herself that this was it. He was finally going to say it. "Because what?" She prodded.

"Because... Ron has always seemed kind of territorial when it comes to you. He all but told all of us to stay away from you. I think it's because he wants to go out with you and hasn't worked up the courage to ask. But since you don't want to date him, then I have no problem telling you that I have really enjoyed hanging out with you the last few days and I hope we can be friends." Fred said.

"It wasn't exactly what she thought she was going to hear, but Hermione realized that at least for now, it was exactly what she wanted. Sure, she would love to date Fred at some point, but the most important thing was getting to know him better than she had the first time around. And she had really enjoyed hanging out with him too.

"I would love to be your friend, Fred Weasley." Hermione smiled.

"That's good, cause I gotta tell you, I'm an awesome friend." Fred told her, leaning in like it was some sort of secret.

"And so modest too!" Hermione laughed.

Fred nodded. "Yup, modesty, awesomeness, loyalty, all part of the many wonderful qualities that I bring to a friendship." Hermione laughed and hit his arm lightly.

"Well, I should get to bed. Big day tomorrow." Fred finally said, gently laying her feet down on the floor as he stood up.

"Goodnight, Fred!" Hermione said, waving as he walked up the stairs.

"Hey, do you know what's an added bonus for us being friends?" Fred asked as he turned around. "It'll drive Ron crazy."

Hermione couldn't help but laugh as Fred winked at her and disappeared. "Goodnight, 'Mione!" He said from halfway up the stairs.

Chapter Text

The Weasley kids, Hermione, and Harry all rushed through the barrier at Platform 9 3/4 and Fred grabbed Hermione's arm just as they had both made it through the wall.

"You know, I think I've had the easiest servant job in the history of the world. You haven't really asked me to do anything." Fred said.

Hermione smiled. She had actually forgotten about the bet for the last few days. Fred hadn't exactly refused anything that she had asked him to do even without his contractual obligation, further proof that their relationship was progressing nicely.

"You're right, I'm sorry. Do I have time for one more request?" Hermione asked.

Fred nodded. "Technically we're not on the train yet. What can I do for you, master?" He asked with a small bow and a smirk.

Hermione looked around. Harry and Ron had already made their way onto the train, barely even noticing that she wasn't following them like always.

"Sit with me on the train? Just you and me. We'll have hours to talk and kick this friendship off the right way."

Fred smiled. "That I'll do just because I want to!" He offered her his arm and the two headed onto the train.

Chapter Text

"I want to open a joke shop." Fred insisted. "George and I want to open one in Diagon Alley. Like Zonko's only better!"

Hermione smiled. Even long before he achieved his dream, she was struck by how passionately he spoke about it. Suddenly, for the first time, it didn't seem like such a ridiculous idea. Knowing how well it worked out for him, seeing how good he was going to be at it, it actually seemed like a great idea.

"You think it's a bad idea." Fred guessed, his eyes sinking. She smiled, loving how much he wanted her to approve.

"I don't think it's a bad idea." She said, sitting straight and putting her hand on his knee as he held them tightly to his chest. "I think you're smart and you can do whatever you want to do, including this. And you seem so excited about it, like it's something you really want to do. I think you'll do it."

"You really think so?" His face lit up.

Hermione smiled. "Zonko's is going to have some serious competition."

As the train started approaching Hogwarts, Hermione took in the sights, enjoying the sight of her home away from home, now not demolished by war.

"What are you thinking about?" Fred asked, pulling her out of her thoughts.

She turned back to him. "I'm just thinking about how much I love it here. Every school year, I'm always just so glad to be back. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself once I graduate." Her eyes started to fill up with tears a little as she talked. All her life, she had been told how bright she was and how much potential she had, but even as she got ready to graduate, she still had not idea what she was going to do with that potential. Now, she was getting ready to relive it all again, and she doubted she would be any closer to figuring it out after three more years.

She turned to Fred, who looked her dead in the eye and put his hands on her shoulders. "You, Hermione Granger, can do whatever you want to do. I can't imagine the pressure you must be under to live up to everyone's expectations. No one has ever expected a thing from me. But I do know that you are worth the hype. You are brave ans smart and caring and you're going to do great things."

She laughed. "Great things. I'm always going to be living in the shadow of the chosen one. I love Harry, I do. Don't get me wrong. But how am I going to do great things if I'm always being attached to the boy who already has?"

Fred shook his head. "No one ever sees you as living in anyone else's shadow."

"How do you know?" Hermione asked, wiping a tear from her eye.

"I never did." He answered, putting a finger under her chin and lifting it up to meet her eyes with his.

Hermione smiled, and suddenly the tears stopped. As she looked into his eyes, she found herself believing him. For the first time, she believed she could do it. She could be what everyone expected her to be.

And for the second time since her journey back in time, Hermione was sure that Fred Weasley was going to kiss her. As he held his hand under her chin, she knew (she hoped) that he was thinking the same thing. She almost made the move herself, but she waited, rather impatiently, for him to do it.

And then the train pulled into the station.

Chapter Text

"So what's with you and Weasley?" Lavender asked as they set their trunks at the foot of the bed.

Hermione laughed. Apparently the obsession was starting early this time. "Ron? Oh, nothing. We're just friends."

Lavender looked confused. "No, not Ron, Fred! Or is it George? I can never tell them apart. The one you got off the train with and were laughing with at dinner."

"Oh that's Fred! Yeah, we're becoming really good friends."

"Friends? Ok." Lavender smiled knowingly.

"We are! We were just talking on the train." Hermione insisted.

"Talking? Alone? For hours?" Lavender repeated.

"We're friends!"

"The laughing?" Lavender asked again.

"He's a really funny guy!" Hermione smiled.

"Fine, but I saw the way he looked at you. He likes you."

Hermione smiled. "Maybe he does." She thought. "I hope he does." She grabbed her books and headed down to the library, much to Lavender's confusion.

Opening the books and laying them down on an empty table, Hermione looked around the library. She loved it here. She always had.

"And the bookworm is at it already!" A familiar voice laughed from behind her.

Hermione smiled and turned to see Fred rounding the table and coming to sit across from her.

"Fred Weasley? What are you doing in a library?" Hermione gasped.

"I know, shocking." Fred said as he leaned in to her across the table. "Do me a favor and don't tell anyone you saw me here. It might ruin my reputation."

Hermione didn't want to ask, but she hoped that his answer confirmed her suspicions. Maybe he was only here to see her. Fred picked up a book and began absentmindedly flipping though it as he stared at Hermione studying. She looked up at him quickly, then back down at the book. She hoped that she was able to conceal the smile that crept onto her face.

"Fred, you're not really thinking of entering the tournament, are you?" Hermione asked finally. "You're not even old enough."

"Georgie and I have our ways of working around the age limit. And yes, we are entering! Eternal glory, monetary rewards, it's all right up our alley."

Hermione scoffed. "Ah, yes. Danger, death, all very exciting."

Fred looked at Hermione with a knowing smirk. "Hermione Granger! If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were worried about me!"

She laughed. "Of course I'm worried about you!" She insisted. "We're friends! That's what friends do! They worry about their friend's safety. They point it out when their friends are thinking of doing something incredibly stupid!" With the last two words, she looked at him out of the corner of her eye and elbowed him playfully in the ribs (admittedly harder than she had intended).

Fred laughed. "Oh, is that what friends do?"

"Yes, it is."

"Do friends also hurt each other?" He laughed through the words as he punched her gently in the shoulder.

"When the situation calls for it, yes. I believe a little harmless violence can be an excellent motivational tool.

Fred scoffed. "Harmless violence? There's no such thing! And even if there were, that's definitely not it. Your elbow is going to leave a permanent indention in my rib cage!" He laughed, rubbing his side. "I think your little act of harmless violence might have actually broken a rib!"

"Oh yeah?" Hermione asked. "Was it this one?" She asked, pointing at one of his ribs. "Or maybe this one?"

"Yup, both of them. The whole thing's shattered." He wimpered.

"If you promise you won't enter the tournament, I'll fix it for you!" Hermione smiled.

"Fix it? How?" Fred asked, never breaking eye contact.

"Magic. Now promise me!" She said.

He jumped up. "Oh look! All better!"

Hermione scowled at him, but she couldn't help but smile. As he was turning to leave, she jumped up. "Hey, Fred?"

He turned around, and she ran toward him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She could sense his surprise at first, but then he gently snaked his arms around her waist, and by the end, he was hugging tighter than she wasy. Finally he let go and looked at her with an embarrassed but completely endearing grin across his face.

"What was that for?" He asked sheepishly, running his hands through his hair.

"I never really thanked you for what you said on the train. Really. I know I was a little crazy and emotional, but all those things you said... thank you."

"That's what friends are for, 'Mione." He smiled.

"I thought it was for the harmless violence." She laughed.

"Well yeah, that too." He said as he turned away.

Hermione sat down and opened the book again, letting out a heavy yawn. Fred strolled back over to the table. "Oh, and one more thing that friends are good at. Unsolicited advice."

Hermione looked up, confusion evident on her tired face.

"Get some sleep. The books can wait until tomorrow. Or even, dare I say it, until term actually starts!" He said, reaching over and closing the book in front of her.

"You're right, you're right!" Hermione smiled as she started packing up.

"Goodnight, 'Mione." He said over his shoulder as he walked away.

"Goodnight, Fred." Hermione answered, barely above a whisper as he disappeared around a corner.

Chapter Text

The year passed relatively uneventfully. The first task was a success, although Hermione had to admit she was still a little worried for Harry, despite knowing how it would turn out. Hermione was actually having a little bit of trouble studying as much as she had the last time, seeing as she had already learned it all. Still, she loved taking solace in the library. Knowing that things were about to get infinitely harder, she loved taking time to relax now that things were a little calmer. Viktor was rather annoying, even more than the last time. He never really seemed to say much of anything, save a few unwanted rants about the ins and outs of Quidditch. Hermione tried to be nice (international magical cooperation and all that), but he was really beginning to tax her patience.

One afternoon, Viktor was hovering a bit too closely for Hermione's taste, and she was looking for any excuse to leave when she saw Fred peering from behind a bookshelf. He quickly retreated and she could hear him running away. Was he jealous? She smiled as she quickly packed up her things and mumbled an apology to Viktor.

"Fred! Wait!" She called after him. He turned around. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your time with the great Viktor Krum." He said, rolling his eyes.

Hermione laughed. "Believe me, you were saving me. Legendary though he may be, he's also a bit annoying. He follows me around everywhere and he only ever wants to watch me study."

Fred smiled, clearly pleased by her response.

"What's that behind your back?" Hermione asked, noticing that he had been keeping one hand completely out of view. She reached for his hand but he quickly backed away.

"Nothing!" He blurted out with a mischievous smirk.

"If it's nothing, then why can't I see it?" She asked, diving again for his hand.

He smiled, finally relenting and pulling his hand from behind him. Clutched in his fist was a single rose. " 'Mione, will you go to the ball with me?"

He ran his fingers through his hair nervously as he waited for her response. A huge grin spread over Hermione's face as she threw her arms around Fred. He hugged her tightly and lifted her up off the ground. As he put her down and let her go, he eyed her nervously. "That was a yes, right?"

All Hermione could do was nod as she held the rose up to her nose and smiled back at him.

Chapter Text

Hermione checked herself in the mirror one last time. "Ginny, are you sure about this?" She ran her fingers through her hair and smoothed her dress.

"You look great, believe me. My brother is going to be absolutely floored." Ginny assured her.

"Ok, It's just a little different." she said. Though technically this was a lie. She had, after all, worn this exact dress before. But she had never worn it in an attempt to impress Fred. She hadn't seen how he had reacted before, but she really wanted him to be impressed.

"Let's go. It's time." Ginny smiled as she took Hermione's hand and led her down the stairs to the common room where Fred was supposed to meet her. When they reached the bottom, Ginny gestured for Hermione to go first. She peeked around the corner and saw Fred facing away from her, writing his hands. She walked slowly towards him and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned, and she watched him stare at her, waiting for him to say something.

"Is it too much? I was worried it might be..." She whispered as she held the dress up a little so it wouldn't touch the floor and bowed her head slightly. She should have toned it down. She looked like she was trying too hard! What was she thinking?

But all of her doubts melted away as the handsome boy before her lifted her chin with his finger and stared her directly in the eye. "You look... incredible." Fred said. "I mean you're always gorgeous. But this... Hermione, you look beautiful." For the first time, as he spoke, she didn't hear a hint of sarcasm in his voice. There was no mischievous glint in his eye. The smile that pulled at the corners of his lips was not the same one she had seen so many times before, the one that made her believe he was up to something. No, this smile was much more genuine, a look of complete and total awe. In his eyes, she saw nothing but the utmost sincerity. And for the first time, even more than she had at the first Yule Ball, she believed that someone thought she was beautiful.

"Every guy in this room is going to want to be me." He promised her as he offered her his arm.

"And every girl in the room is going to want to be me." Hermione answered. Fred waved her off, but Hermione doubled down. "I'm serious! Fred Weasley, you are a catch. You're smart and funny and charming, and incredibly handsome. And I don't know if I've told you all of this before but I'm very glad you asked me tonight."

Fred didn't say anything, but she could tell he was pleased. In fact, she couldn't be sure, but she was pretty sure that she had become the only person in the world to actually see Fred Weasley blush.

Hermione smiled as she looped her arm into his and the two walked out pf the portrait hole and toward the great hall. At the bottom of the stairs, she caught Harry elbowing Ron as they both looked up and saw their best friend, looking more beautiful than she ever had and walking arm in arm with Ron's brother. She was a little surprised at the look she saw on Ron's face, though. Even with Viktor, it had been more a look of jealousy and pain, but this was nothing short of pure anger. For right now, she pushed it out of her mind. That was a problem for later. For now, she was going to enjoy her time with Fred.

After the four champions had started dancing, Fred was one of the first to drag Hermione out onto the dance floor.

"I'm going to go get us a drink!" Fred called over the loud music and pointed toward a table in the back. Hermione nodded and turned with him, catching Ron and Harry sitting with their dates, all looking equally miserable. Hermione sighed.

"Fred has gone to get us drinks." She said. "Would you care to join us?" Hermione asked. She knew how it would end but she figured she may as well get it over with.

"No, we would not care to join you and Fred! Hermione, how could you do this to me? That's my brother, you know!" Ron yelled as he stood up and stepped closer to her, anger evident on his increasingly red face.

"Of course I know he's your brother! I've only spent the last two summers at your house, Ronald! I think I know who your brothers are!" She snapped back.

"Good! I'm glad to see you notice some things! Now, did it fail to cross your mind how this would effect me?" Ron asked.

"How this would effect you?" Hermione laughed. "No, actually it didn't really seem to be any of your business."

"None of my business? You're my best friend and you're dancing with my brother! How do you think that makes me look?" Ron asked.

"I think it makes you look like you have a great family worthy of raising both a quality date and a quality best friend. At least I thought you were a quality best friend. But if you were really my friend you would be glad that I had found someone who makes me happy. Someone who likes me. SOMEONE WHO BOTHERED TO ASK ME TO THIS STUPID DANCE!" Hermione screamed.

"I was going to ask you, but..." Ron trailed off, but at least he wasn't yelling anymore.

"When? 30 seconds before the dance? Because that's how much time you had left. You weren't going to ask me. You were just hoping that no one else would so that you could have a date without putting in the work. Well guess what? Someone else did ask me. And I'm sorry that you have some sort of inferiority complex when it comes to your brothers, and I'm sorry that someone else worked up the courage to ask me before you did.But I like Fred and he likes me. So if you can't accept that and be happy for your best friend and your brother, two people that you should care about more than anyone else in the world, then maybe we're not as close as I thought we were. Maybe you're not the person I thought you were."

Hermione stormed off, meeting Fred halfway and dragging him out into the hallway, tears streaming down her face.

It hurt worse this time. She didn't think it would, seeing as how she wasn't actually wanting to go with Ron. But she thought maybe he could put aside his jealousy and at least be happy that his brother was happy. He should at least be happy that she had found someone good to go with this time. Fred was a better choice than Viktor! He had to be!

Fred and Hermione sat down on the steps as Fred handed her a drink. Hermione gulped it down in two swallows, trying to stave off tears.

"My brother is a giant moron." Fred offered as he wiped the tears from her face.

Hermione forced a smile. "You heard that, did you?"

" 'Mione, I hate to break it to you, but I think everyone heard that."

She couldn't help but laugh. Fred was right. Ron was a moron. At least in this instance. But this time, she had several things to take comfort in. First, she knew he would turn out alright, even if it did take a while. Second, she wasn't after him anymore anyway. And third, this time she had the better Weasley brother to dry her tears when Ron was being a moron. So she leaned into Fred as he put his arm around her, enjoying the fact that this time, she did not have to cry alone.

Chapter Text

The next few days, Hermione was rather occupied taking care of Harry and helping him with the second task. Much to her dismay, she didn't see much of Fred, but she smiled every tie she saw him eyeing her from the other side of the common room. Once she was finally confident that Harry was in good hands, she found some time to sneak off to the library alone, hoping that a certain tall, readheaded boy would come looking for her there.

She found a book, more for pleasure than for actual studying, and sat down at a table. But her favorite activity was soon interrupted by the boy who was quickly becoming her favorite person. "I knew I'd find you here." Fred said as he took a seat next to her and casually draped his arm over the back of her chair.

She closed the book and stared up at him, unable to keep a smile from spreading across her face. "Hi." Fred laughed loudly and smiled down at her, genuinely and sweetly. "Hi."

She rested her head gently on his shoulder and allowed him to bring his arm from the chair up to her shoulders. "I don't think I ever told you what a great time I had the other night. Thank you for that. And for comforting me when Ron was being... well, Ron."

He smiled. "You're welcome. I'm always here for you, 'Mione."

She looked up at him and found her instincts taking over. Without really knowing what she was doing, she stretched her neck up and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. Fred looked surprised at first, but that quickly faded to his characteristic smirk as he whispered "You missed."

Slowly, he brought his arm out from behind her neck and placed both hands on the sides of her face as he gently pulled her toward him. He stopped when he was nearly there and allowed her to move her lips the final few inches toward his. The kiss was soft and sweet at first, but he pulled away for a second, looking into her eyes, and then started again. This time he kissed her harder and more urgently. He let his hands slide back into her hair and pulled her closer to him, as if he wanted to be as close to her as he possibly could.

Finally, he let her go and smiled. "I've wanted to do that for a long time." He whispered.

Hermione smiled and nodded. "Me too."

Fred leaned down and rested his elbows on the table, nervously wringing his hands. "Can I ask you something?" He said, barely looking up.

Hermione was about to respond, but out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a dark figure leaning against a book shelf, watching them. She didn't know how long he had been there or how much he had seen, but now that she noticed him, she couldn't ignore it. She elbowed Fred. Hermione was sure that he was about to make some sort of snarky comment about her ruining the moment, but he couldn't say much of anything when she pointed up at Professor Snape looking down on them.

"I knew I'd find you here, Ms Granger." He hissed. "But I assumed you'd be alone." He shot a disdainful glance over at Fred. "I hate to interrupt this heartwarming little moment, but Professor McGonagall would like to see you. Now."

He turned on his heel and disappeared again behind a bookcase.

"Professor Severus Snape, ladies and gentlemen. Professional mood killer." Fred said as he threw his head back and laughed.

"What were you going to ask me?" Hermione prodded.

Fred shook his head. "Forget it. I'll see you in the morning for the second task and we'll talk about it then. I promise. Go see McGonagall."

Hermione nodded and turned to pick up her things, but she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. She turned and before she could process it, Fred had captured her lips in one more quick kiss. "I just can't get enough of that!" He smiled.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hermione woke up in the black lake, being pulled out by a boy with a shark head. Viktor. Why had she still been picked as the person Viktor saved? Confused, she climbed out of the water and wrapped a towel around her shoulders, frantically looking for Fred. She finally found him, pushing rather hurriedly out of the stands and back toward the castle.

"Fred!" She yelled as she ran after him. He didn't turn. "Fred!" She called again, desperately wanting him to turn around. She knew how this must look to him, and she wanted nothing more than to explain to him that this was not at all her doing. But in order for her to do that, he had to actually acknowledge that she was yelling at him. "Fred!"

She finally caught up to him and jumped in front of him. "Didn't you hear me yelling at you?"

Fred nodded, refusing to look at her. "I heard you."

"Then why didn't you turn around?"

He shrugged. "I had nothing to say."

"Fred! Come on, look at me! This isn't what it looks like!"

"Oh really?" He said, finally daring to look at her. "Because from where I'm standing, it's pretty hard to avoid the conclusion that you lied to me!"

"I didn't lie to you, Fred!" She insisted.

"You told me that there was nothing going on with you and Viktor." He reminded her, clearly hurt and trying to hold back tears.

"There isn't!"

"Then why did they drag you down there? 'Mione, I've been worried sick about you all morning. I've been running around like a crazy person looking for you, and then I see you coming out of the water with him."

"I'm sorry! It wasn't my choice! I didn't even know what was happening. McGonagall called me into her office saying something about the task! She told me what it was for, but I assumed it was Harry who was supposed to save me!"

This was true. She was actually shocked that she had been called to participate in the task at all this time, but since she'd had very little interaction with Viktor lately, she assumed that she had been chosen for Harry instead of Ron.

"Well it obviously wasn't Harry, it was Viktor. And now, I just..." He stopped and shook his head. "I just feel like such an idiot, Hermione. All this time, I thought you liked me. I thought... but I guess I was wrong. And I'm sorry I wasted your time."

He turned and walked away. Hermione tried again to stop him, but he waved her off and headed back into the castle. All Hermione could do was sit down in the grass and cry.

Chapter Text

For the next few days, Hermione was miserable. Fred wouldn't even look in her direction, let alone talk to her. Hermione didn't know what to do. Soon, she would be expected to start work on saving those who were going to die soon, but all she could think about was Fred.

She sat in the common room one night, when she saw a red headed boy coming down the stairs. She thought it might be Fred, but instead, Ron came and quietly down the stairs and sat down next to her. 

"I'm sorry for the things I said at the ball. I guess I was just being protective. Fred's a great guy, but he can be a bit of an idiot sometimes and I didn't want you to get hurt. I guess the ironic part is that I became the idiot and I ended up being the one to hurt you and I'm sorry." Ron blurted all of this out rather quickly and without looking at her, but once he was done, he looked up at her and smiled and she could tell he was sincere.

"I was going to ask you myself, just as friends, you know, but I actually thought Viktor was going to ask you and I got a bit scared. Then I saw you walk in with Fred instead and I just freaked out a little. I really am sorry."

Hermione smiled back. "Thank you. I forgive you."

Ron stayed silent for a bit and then spoke again. "Whatever happened between you and my brother anyway? I notived that you're not really talking anymore."

Hermione laughed. "Yeah, no we're not. You know how you thought Viktor was going to ask me? Well apparently so did Fred and I assured him that I wasn't interested in Viktor in that way. But when I got picked to be the person that Viktor saved in the task, I guess Fred thought that it was because we were together or we liked each other or something."

Ron laughed. "That's crazy! Like McGonagall has some kind of ability to tell when two people want to be together? You got picked because everyone can tell that Viktor fancies you. They knew he would want to save you! It has nothing to do with how you feel about him!"

"That's what I said!" Hermione answered. "But Fred thinks I've lied to him and now he won't even speak to me."

Ron turned to face her and looked her straight in the eye. "Listen, Hermione. Fred may seem like he's all jokes, but he's one of the most caring guys I know. Probably the most out of all of my brothers. And that just means he gets hurt easily. He'll come around. I know he's not talking to you right now, but give him a few more days and he will. When he does, if you make it clear to him that you're not thinking of anyone else, he'll fall at your feet and be the most loyal guy you could ever have. He just needs some time to cool off."

Hermione smiled as Ron got up. "Thanks, Ron. I was right. You are a great best friend."

Ron laughed. "Well, you are usually right."

He turned to go and then turned back one last time at the bottom of the stairs. "By the way, any fool can see how crazy my brother is about you. He'll come around. And if he takes a seond and looks, he'll see how crazy you are about him too. It's not easy to miss. I know I was a little bit weird about it at first, but I just want you both to be happy."

"Thank you, Ron." Hermione smiled.

"He does make you happy, doesn't he?"

"Yes, very happy."

Ron nodded and headed up the stairs. "Goodnight, Hermione."

Chapter Text

Hermione had been trying to stay away from Viktor ever since the incident at the lake, but late one night he found her in the library and sat down beside her. "I know you don't like me the way I like you. You like that tall red head boy, don't you?"

All Hermione could do was nod.

"Did I miss things up for you?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, you didn't. The stupid task did. Fred thought that because I was chosen to be the one that you had to rescue, that meant that I liked you too. I had told him that I didn't, so now he thinks I've lied to him."

"Ok, well I will stay away. I don't want to mess things up with you and your boyfriend."Viktor said as he got up to leave.

"He's not my boyfriend." Hermione said as a tear escaped her eye. "I wanted him to be, but I don't think he wants to anymore."

"He does. He will understand soon." He assured her.

"You're a good guy, Viktor. I'm sorry things worked out the way they did."

Viktor nodded and walked away, murmuring something about how it's no use being an international Quidditch player if all the pretty girls are taken.

Hermione returned to her book, but was interrupted by a small voice. "Did you mean that?"

She looked up to see Fred peeking out from behind the bookcase.

Hermione nodded eagerly. "Every word! Did you hear it?"

Fred nodded sheepishly and ran his fingers through his hair. "Viktor came to me and said that I was being stupid. I guess he heard somehow that I had gotten mad at you for what happened at the lake. He said he could tell that you liked me and not him. When I didn't believe him, he invented this whole thing about me hiding behind a bookcase while he made you admit your feelings for me."

Hermione laughed. "He's smarter than I give him credit for." She said under her breath.

Fred finally came and sat down next to her. "I'm such an idiot, 'Mione. I'm sorry. I guess I just didn't believe that you could really like me. I mean we're so different!'

Hermione laughed. "Yes, because I have some much in common with Viktor Krum!"

"I know, I know! I said I was an idiot! Can you ever forgive me?" He smiled shyly.

"I'll forgive you under one condition." Hermione smirked.

"Anything."

"Tell me what you were going to ask me before we were interrupted by Severus Snape, Professional Mood Killer."

Fred grinned. "I was... um... I was going to ask you to be my girlfriend."

"I knew it!" Hermione shouted.

"So, uh, will you? Will you be my girlfriend, Hermione Granger? I promise not to get jealous anymore!"

In response, Hermione reached up and put her fingers in his hair, pulling his head toward hers and placing her lips firmly on his. After a minute, he pulled away. "Yes or no?" She rolled her eyes and one more time, she kissed him, softer and more reassuring this time.

"I'm just going to assume that was a yes." Fred smiled as she pulled away.

"Assume away." Hermione said.

"In that case, we need to go on a proper date. Do you want to go to Hogsmeade with me on Saturday?" He asked, more confidently this time.

Hermione smiled. "Of course!"

Chapter Text

On the one hand, it felt sort of strange walking through Hogsmeade, hand in hand with Fred Weasley. But on the other, it was the most natural thing in the world. Everyone was staring, and for the first time in her life, Hermione didn't care. Let them stare. Let them know that she, Hermione Granger, was dating Fred Weasley. As the year was drawing to a close, Hermione had a lot on her mind. The first death, Cedric, was supposed to happen in just a few days, and she had not idea how she was supposed to stop it. Plus, she still had to find a way to explain to everyone how why she wasn't going to be seeing her parents for the whole summer. But for this moment, all she could think of was Fred, his hand in hers as they walked through the crowded streets.

"What are you thinking about?" Fred asked her, noticing that she hadn't spoken in a while.

"You." She answered, looking up at him brightly.

"Yeah? What are you thinking about me?" He prodded.

"I'm thinking that every girl here wishes they were me, and I'm just trying to figure out how I got so lucky."

Fred grinned. She did know how to make him feel special. "Well that's certainly true. I should tell you, Granger, there was a line about as long as the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall, just full of girls who were begging to be my girlfriend."

Hermione smiled, playing along. "Oh really? And How id I manage to skip the whole line?"

He stopped walking and put his hands on her shoulders. "There could have been a line stretching across all of England and there would not have been a single girl in it that could even come close to you. You skipped the line because you're the only girl I really wanted."

They kept walking and Hermione threaded her arm through his, holding him tightly to her side. "Let's play a game."

Fred looked intrigued. He liked games. "What kind of game?"

"20 questions." Hermione suggested. Fred looked confused. "Sorry, maybe that's just a muggle thing."

"No, it's ok!" Fred said, looking excited. "We can go to the Three Broomsticks and you can tell me all about this 50 questions."

"20!" Hermione corrected him as he drug her by the arm through the door of the Three Broomsticks.

Hermione got a table while Fred went to go get drinks. A minute later, he came back with two huge mugs of Butterbeer and sat down across from Hermione. "Thank you!" Hermione said gratefully.

Fred nodded. "So tell me all about this 80 questions thing."

"Now you're just mocking me!" Hermione laughed, crossing her arms and faking an angry scowl.

"A bit. But I do want to play!" Fred insisted.

"Fine. Basically we just ask each other questions to get to know each other better. Anything you want to know."

Fred smiled as he rested his elbows on the table. "That's actually great. Because I've been dying to know what's been going on in that beautiful head of yours."

Hermione smiled as she took a drink. There was not, nor would there ever be, a man as charming as Fred Weasley.

"You first." Fred said.

Hermoine thought for a moment. "What's your favorite color?"

Fred threw his head back and laughed. "You can ask me anything in the world and you ask me my favorite color?"

"It's the first thing that came to mind! Besides, you can tell a lot about a person by their favorite color."

"Fine. My favorite color is Red. Does that mean I'm a Gryffindor?"

Hermione smiled. "That, among other things." She took a drink and smiled, knowing that he was dying for her to tell him what she meant.

"I've heard of this." Fred said. "Is this that weird muggle colorology thing? Like muggles think if you paint a room blue it makes people sad or something like that?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, not really. I've just always had this idea that certain favorite colors correspond to certain characteristics that a person has. Like there's a reason you chose it as your favorite. There's a reason it appeals to you most."

"So what does red say about me?" Fred asked curiously.

"I'm not telling." Hermione laughed.

"Why not? It's my favorite color! It's my personality!" Fred asked. But Hermione just shook her head. "Fine, at least tell me this. Is it a good thing?" Fred asked, sounding defeated.

Hermione nodded. "Very good." This seemed to perk him up a bit.

"Ok, my turn." He said. "When did you know that you liked me?"

Hermione was taken back a bit by the question. She couldn't very well tell him that it was when she saw his dead body. But there was another moment... "When you carried my trunk up the stairs at The Burrow this summer."

Fred laughed. "Really? That was it?"

Hermione nodded. "At least it was the first time I had acknowledged it."

Satisfied, Fred took a drink and gestured to Hermione to ask her next question.

"When did you know that you liked me?"

"Copycat!" Fred smiled.

Hermione shrugged. "It was a good question. And I want to know."

Fred thought for a moment. "I think it was when I heard that you had punched Malfoy. That guy's always really bugged me, but no one ever stood up to him like that. I don't know, it was just really brave and tough of you. It was the first time I realized how strong you could be. You're always the one who gets my brother out of the stupid scrapes he manages to get himself into, but that's with brains and books usually, which everyone knows you have. But that day, I realized that Hermione Granger really can do anything."

Hermione couldn't stop smiling. "That was a way better answer than mine."

Fred shrugged. "Maybe I just like you more than you like me."

Hermione laughed. "Maybe, but I doubt it. Your turn."

"Did you ever really like Ron?" Fred asked. Again, Hermione found herself having difficulty answering. In another life, yes. But lately, Ron had scarcely even crossed her mind.

"Yes, but I liked Ron for all the qualities he has that you also have. The things your parents have that they were so good about teaching all of you. You're all so kind and selfless and loyal. But you have qualities that Ron could never dream of having. Ron is very sweet when he wants to be, but sometimes he gets a bit wrapped up in himself and he's completely oblivious to everything that's going on around him. But you are charming and considerate and observant and you know exactly what people need to hear. You're funnier, stronger, smarter, and less impulsive than Ron is too. Everything that Ron has that I liked doesn't even scratch the surface of the reasons I like you."

Fred was grinning even bigger that Hermione had even seen before. "You forgot handsomer." Hermione just rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help but agree.

The questions got a bit more lighthearted from there. Hermione told Fred about the vacations that she would take with her parents to America and Italy and Japan. Fred told Hermione about how he and George had gotten many of the ideas for their products from the traps that they had seen in the ancient Egyptian tombs, how he loved nothing more than the sound of his bat hitting a bludger, and how he had always wanted to find a girl as amazing as Hermione.

Finally, Hermione asked "What's your greatest ambition?"

She expected him to say something about making people laugh but his answer was so much more than that.

"I want to protect the people I love. That's part of why George and I want to open this shop. Jokes and lightheartedness protect people from the sadness of the world and all the horrible things that happen to us. It's why I chose to be a beater too, so I could make sure that my team was safe. I want everyone that I love to feel safe and feel like I have their back, you know? My dad does so much for us and he doesn't ever ask for anything in return. He doesn't even get the recognition he deserves at work. He could probably be the Minister of Magic if he made some compromises and played the game, but he's content to just do what he can and continue to be a good person. I want our business to be successful so that I can give him the life he deserves after he's too old to work. I would kill anyone who tries to hurt my mum or Ginny or my brothers. I want to keep them safe. And you, 'Mione, I'd do anything for you, to keep you safe."

There was nothing she could say. It wasn't at all the answer she expected to hear, and yet it sounded exactly like Fred. The real Fred, the one she had gotten to know these last few months. And she realized it was exactly what she needed to hear to make her fall for him even more.

Chapter Text

The final task had come, and Hermione had no idea what she was going to do to save Cedric. It was the first real thing she wanted to change, but something about it seemed to tell her that it would turn out to be one of those fixed points McGonagall had warned her about. Something told her that Cedric had to die in order for everyone to see the severity of the return of Voldemort.

Still, she found herself sitting in the common room the night before the final task, sobbing into a pillow. She was actually rather ashamed of herself. This is why she had come back. To save people. And the very first opportunity she had, she found herself completely unprepared. It would have been one thing if she had been unable to find a way to save him, but she was ashamed to admit that she barely even tried. She was too wrapped up with Fred. And now Cedric was going to die and it was all her fault.

"Hermione?" A voice called from the top of the stairs. She jerked her head up and wiped away her tears. "Hermione, is that you?"

Harry came descending down the stairs, rubbing his tired eyes before replacing his glasses and sitting down next to Hermione. "Why are you crying?"

"I'm scared for you." Hermione answered. It wasn't a lie, not really. Wiping away the last of her tears, Hermione said the only thing she could think of to warn Harry without telling him what she knew.

"We all know that someone put your name in the goblet and that person probably wants you dead. I just have a feeling that this person is going to try to finish the job during the task. I don't know who it is or what they're planning but please... please, Harry, just be careful."

Harry nodded. "I've actually been thinking the same thing."

"Are you scared?" Hermione asked Harry as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Terrified. But I'll be careful, I promise." Then he stood up. "But I'm not going to be much use if I don't get some sleep." He offered her his hand to help her up as well. "And it's not going to do you any good to sit here all night and worry about me."

Hermione nodded and got up as the both headed toward their separate dormitories. "Promise me you'll get some sleep." Harry said, turning back to her.

Hermione nodded. "I will. Promise me you won't do anything stupid tomorrow."

Harry laughed. "How long have you known me, Hermione? You know I can't make that promise. But I will be careful."

She nodded. "Goodnight Harry." And with that, she headed up to bed. It was the best she could do. She just hoped it was enough.

Chapter Text

"Over here, Hermione!" Fred shouted ask Hermione looked for a set outside the huge maze. Ge waved her over where he, George, and Lee were sitting. Hermione forced a smile as she came and sat down next to Fred, who immediately slung his arm over her shoulder and kissed her on the cheek. "Hi."

Hermione couldn't help it. She smiled back, genuinely this time. "Hi."

"Are you ok?" He said. His smile faded as he looked directly into her eyes, somehow able to sense the tiredness and fear she was trying to hide.

She nodded. "I'm just worried about Harry." She hated lying to him. She wanted to tell him everything, about how she knew Cedric was about to die, about how she was ashamed of herself that she had done nothing to stop it (though she did worry that there was nothing she could do) and how she had no idea how she was going to stop anyone else from dying either. She wanted to tell him that this was the night that everything changed.

And she thought about telling him too. She could pull him aside and tell him the whole long, convoluted story, risking looking like a maniac just so she could get his help. Fred was smarter than people gave him credit for and she knew he could be useful. But more than anything, she wanted to give him as much notice as possible about what was to happen to him so that she could try to stop it.

But she didn't. Instead, she smiled, reached her neck up and kissed Fred on the cheek. "I'm fine, really. Just tired. But thanks for noticing! You really are incredible, you know that right?"

Fred gave his usual smirk, but she thought she detected the faintest hint of blush in his cheeks as he said "I have been told."

As Dumbledore came out to give his opening speech, Fred pulled his arm from her shoulder and grabbed her hand, interlocking his fingers with hers and squeezing tight. She could tell he was nervous too. After the four champions wandered cautiously into the maze, conversation began to break out among the crowd.

"So I guess you and my brother are together now." George said, glaring at her through the side of his eye. Hermione nodded. "It does seem that way!" She said, nudging Fred with her shoulder.

"That's good. I was always afraid you were going to end up with Ron, and I've got to tell you, you're too good for him. I love my brother, I really do, but I think we all know I'm a little partial to Freddie over here."

Hermione laughed. "I think we might have guessed."

"Good." George continued. "But as such, I must warn you that if you hurt my brother in any way, I will be forced to murder you."

Hermione laughed. "Noted."

"Good. Glad we got that cleared up." George smiled.

Conversation flowed freely through the crowd for what seemed like hours until finally a flash of light brought Harry spinning out of the maze, the cup in one hand and Cedric's arm in the other. The crowd lept to its feet as the band started to play and cheers erupted from everyone but Hermione. She stood up, knowing that she was the only one who knew what had happened to Cedric.

She knew it. And soon everyone else would know too. They fell immediately silent as Amos Diggory came running down to see his son.

Everyone sat down. No one could say a word.

Chapter Text

"Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory."

Dumbledore finished his speech and walked out, without so much as another word. Everyone else in the room merely raised their wands, lighted up to the sky. As a tear rolled down Hermione's face, she promised herself that she would not do this again. No more wand salutes. Not for Dumbledore, not for Lupin or Tonks or Sirius or Dobby, and surely not for the handsome boy whose hand was holding tightly to hers. Surely not for Fred.

The next day, as everyone boarded the train, Fred pulled Hermione aside. "You're going to sit with me, right?"

Hermione nodded. "Of course!"

"Good" Fred said. "And listen, I already owled mum and told her about us."

"You did?" Hermione was a little surprised how worried she was, hoping that Molly would approve. "Does she hate it?"

Fred laughed. "Of course not! She was thrilled. She even offered to let you stay the whole summer, She says she knows you probably need to go and see your family, but she said you can stay as long as you'd like." He said excitedly. "She just said no 'funny business' " He added with a wink.

"Fred, that sounds amazing! Are you sure they would be OK with me staying? For the whole summer?" Hermione asked, wide eyed. She was both surprised and at the same time not at all surprised by the Weasleys generosity, but more than anything she couldn't believe her good luck. If she could just find a way to convince Fred that she didn't need to go see her parents, she would have an easy place to stay for the entire summer.

Fred smiled. "They would love to have you, I know they would. But don't you need to see your parents? I'm sure they miss you."

Hermione shook her head quickly. "Oh, they won't mind. I'll just owl them and tell them I'm staying with you."

Fred nodded and took her hand as they boarded the train together.

Fred and Hermione managed to get a tain car all to themselves, and after a few games of Exploding Snap and several chocolate frogs, Fred looked up at Hermione. "You lied to me earlier."

"What?" Hermione asked, startled.

"There's no way your parents wouldn't mind seeing you all summer. 'Mione, what's going on? Is everything OK with them? You're not in trouble, are you?"

She nodded. "I... um... Fred, I don't want to lie to you."

He took her hand and looked into her eyes. "Then don't. Do you trust me?"

"Of course I do!" she answered, quickly but sincerely.

"Then tell me. I can keep a secret. I can help." Fred assured her.

Hermione nodded and pulled him off the floor and onto the bench before beginning her story.

Chapter Text

Hermione knew McGonagall had told her not to tell anyone. And she shouldn't have. But this is Fred. He wouldn't tell anyone, and if she was going to get as close to him as she hoped she would, it would be hard to keep the secret. Plus, it would be nice if someone knew. It was so scary this last year, being the only one who knew, and it couldn't hurt to have help, right?

"What I'm about to tell you does not leave this car, right?" Hermione said.

"I promise." Fred assured her.

"OK, so I'm going to tell you why I can't go see my parents, but it's a very long story and its not going to be at all what you expect, so I need you to listen and be open and remember that the only reason I didn't tell you was because I promised I wouldn't tell anyone at all."

"I promise, 'Mione. What is it?"

Slowly, she reached into her shirt and pulled out the time turner. "Do you know what this is?"

Fred's eyes widened. "Hermione, that's a time turner! Where did you get one?"

"From McGonagall. Three years from now."

"Three years from... what?" Fred stammered.

"Three years from now, there's going to be a war between us and Voldemort. In that war, people die. Dozens of people. McGonagall sent my back to change that. To save people."

Tears started rolling down her face. "But I couldn't save Cedric. I didn't know how. McGonagall told me that certain things couldn't be changed and I think that might be one of them, but Fred, I didn't even try. Not really, anyway. I didn't know where to start." She was crying harder now, and Fred was just sort of staring at her. What had she done? What if he was mad?

Then slowly, Fred wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him. "I'm so sorry, Hermione. That must have been so lonely for you! I wouldn't have known what to do either. But we can figure it out together." He said as he stroked her hair and held her close to him. "I'll help you."

"Thank you, Fred! Thank you so much." She whispered. The crying had lessened now. Fred was going to help her. Everything would be OK.

"So what does this have to o with your parents?" He asked, letting her go as she sat up.

"I had to wipe their memories, my parents and my 14 year old self. I sent them away to live in Australia and made them forget that I was a witch." She said, wiping her tears.

Fred nodded. "I guess that makes sense. It would be awfully hard to explain to them why there were two of you all of a sudden."

"So now you know." She sighed.

"Now I know. Why you were so worried at the last task, why you didn't seem surprised that Cedric had died. And you knew! You knew about the World Cup!" He laughed, punching her lightly in the arm.

"Yeah, sorry about that." She laughed. Fred shrugged it off. "At least I didn't bet you any money. And I guess in a way it did bring us together."

Hermione smiled. She hadn't thought of it that way. It definitely had brought them closer.

He smiled, leaned in, and kissed her gently on the mouth. "We'll figure this out together." She nodded an leaned back into his arms as Fred leaned against the wall of the train car.

"What if we tell my parents that we're both going to visit your parents? I'm of age now. We can tell mum and dad that I'm going to apparate us over so I can meet your parents. That way, they won't think you're spending the whole summer apart from them, and you and I can spend some time alone together!"

"Fred, that's a great idea!" She said, as she leaned in and kissed him.

"Great! And you can tell me all about how amazing I am in the future." He grinned.

Hermione suddenly stopped smiling and turned to face the door. She wouldn't tell him, she determined. Not yet, at least. They had time. She would tell him, but only at the very last minute.

"So did you and I ever get together before?" Fred asked casually.

Hermione shook her head. "I was convinced that I liked Ron so I never really paid attention. But just before I came back, George told me that you liked me. When I came back, I started noticing the signs and noticed that I liked you too. We started spending more time together, and I guess I was giving off some hints that I didn't give off last time. You picked up on it, and now here we are!" Again, not a lie, she told herself.

"I can't believe future George gave away my secret! I'm so mad at future George!" Fred laughed. "But I guess I also have future George to thank for this." He pressed his forehead to hers and smiled.

"Maybe future George knew what he was doing after all."

Chapter Text

"Fred, are you sure you're OK to apparate on your own?" Molly asked for the millionth time.

"Yes, mum. I'll be fine." Fred assured her for the millionth time.

Fred and Hermione had spent the summer at The Burrow with the Weasleys and were shocked to find that very little fuss had been made over their relationship. Molly had greeted Hermione with an even bigger hug than normal when she had gotten off the train, going on and on about how lucky she was that her son had found such a good, smart girl and how she hoped it would last. Ginny had been ecstatic at the thought of Hermione being her sister in law (even though Hermione had assured Ginny that if she were to marry Fred, it would be a long, LONG way down the road). Still, Ginny told her that when she had first heard about their relationship, she was happy, but now that they had lasted the whole year, that meant something. Apparently it meant that they were going to get married.

Now, Fred and Hermione were all ready to go, all their things packed in Hermione's bag with the undetectable extension charm.

"Be careful, both of you." Molly said as she kissed both of them. "You take care of her, Fred. Promise me!"

"I promise, mum." He said, winking at Hermione. "I won't let her out of my sight."

Hermione and Fred walked out of the front door and onto the front lawn, waving as they exited. Once in the yard, Fred took Hermione's hand and she braced herself for what she had always found to be a very uncomfortable experience. She realized that she and Fred had not really talked about what they were going to do, for fear that someone would hear and realize that, not only were they not going to visit Hermione's parents, but also that she was from the future. So she didn't really know what to expect when she opened her eyes.

They landed in a dark, empty alley and Fred led her out onto the busy streets. "Where are we?" She asked. Fred smiled. "Isn't it obvious?"

Hermione shook her head, but then she looked around and it came to her. "Are we in Paris?" She asked.

Fred nodded. "I thought you might like it here." Hermione threw her arms around him. "This was a wonderful idea, Fred!"

"I'm glad you like it. Now, come on. I'm starving. Are you hungry?"

Hermione nodded as he led her off to a small bakery where they picked out some sandwiches and pastries. "And some Butterbeer!" Fred added. The cashier looked confused.

Hermione laughed. She was actually surprised that Fred had learned to bring muggle money, but some things wouldn't change.

"Cokes." Hermione piped up. "2 Cokes."

"What's Coke?" Fred asked on the way out. Hermione laughed. "Just trust me."

They sat down in the grass to enjoy their lunch. Fred struggled with the cap on the Coke bottle, until Hermione pulled a gold galleon out of her bag and popped it off easily.

Fred took a drink and his eyes lit up. "Hey, this is really good!"

Hermione smiled. "Yeah, it's not bad. My parents never wanted me to have it when I was growing up, but sometimes they would let me have one while we were on vacation."

Fred began unpacking the sandwiches and handed one to Hermione. "So I guess we need a gameplan. You told me about this whole thing so that I could help, right? So tell me who is supposed to die next."

Hermione took a deep breath. "Sirius."

Fred scratched his head. "Sirius, huh? How does that happen?"

Hermione told Fred all about the connection that Harry develops with Voldemort and how Voldemort uses it against Harry to lure him into the Department of Mysteries, thinking that Sirius is in danger. Then she told him about the battle that she and her friends have in the Ministry against the Death Eaters and how Bellatrix kills Sirius.

"Well that won't be too hard then, will it? You know when it's coming, you know when Bellatrix is going to attack him, so that should help right? I mean it sounds like we can't avoid this battle altogether. Harry needs to hear the prophesy and he certainly won't let Sirius get attacked unless you can prove to him that it's all fake. I don't think we can afford to tell Harry any of this, can we?"

Hermione nodded as she took a bite. "I think we can find a way. And we do have all year to plan it out."

Hermione stopped, thinking for a moment. "There is one more thing about this that you should know. The way that Harry finds out a bout this connection with Voldemort is when Voldemort attacks your father."

She could see the look in Fred's eyes and she stopped him before he asked. "He's going to be fine. A little banged up, but still alive and perfectly fine. Harry tells Dumbledore what he sees and Dumbledore saves him. I just thought you would want to know."

Fred nodded. He seemed a little worried about the whole thing still, but Hermione just didn't feel right keeping it from him.

After they finished eating, Fred and Hermione wandered through the city, taking in the culture, the shops, and the sights. Hermione even managed to get Fred into a few museums. As the day wound to a close, Fred took Hermione to a hotel for the night. "I want you to know" he said "nothing needs to happen here. I just didn't think there was much of a point in getting multiple rooms. Plus, I did promise mum that I wouldn't let you out of my sight." He winked as he opened the door.

They climbed into bed and Fred pulled her in close. "I had a really great time today." He said. Hermione smiled. "Me too."

As the two drifted off to sleep, Hermione could still hear Fred whisper "I love you, Hermione."

Hermione was a little surprised, but she couldn't have been happier to hear the words she had been waiting to hear for so long. And she had absolutely no problem responding "I love you too."

As she drifted off to sleep, she was almost positive that she head Fred breathe a sigh of relief when she answered.

Chapter Text

There was something so casual about being with Fred. She felt like she could tell him anything. And that week, she was pretty sure she did.

They were walking through the streets of Paris, arm in arm when Fred finally asked the question she was surprised he hadn't already. "What really happened with you and my brother? It really seemed like you liked him before. And I know he likes you."

"How do you know that?" Hermione asked.

"Because why wouldn't he?" Fred smiled, kissing her on the cheek. Hermione blushed a little as Fred finished. "Besides, I've seen the way he looks at you. It's the same way I look at you."

Hermione smiled. She couldn't believe how easily she had discounted him before- he really was quite perceptive. "During the battle that I told you about, he kissed me. I was thrilled about it at first. I had spent so long thinking that it's what I wanted, but when I had a second to breathe, I thought about it and realized how wrong it all felt. There was just something sort of weird about it. I mean Ron and I practically grew up together. I know him so well. I know all of his quirks, everything that annoys me about him. In a way, I guess that's good. We would never surprise each other. I know what a life with Ron would be like. But there's something to be said for uncertainty I guess. Somehow, I just knew it wasn't what I wanted."

Fred smiled as he took her hand. "Well I want to know everything about you. I hope that doesn't take the excitement out of it."

Hermione laughed. "Life could never be anything but exciting when you're around!"

"Let's go in here." Fred said, pulling her aside into a dingy looking bronze statue.

"Where are we going?" Hermione asked curiously, as Fred pulled out his wand and tapped the statue. "Welcome to Place Cachee!" Fred gestured. "It's like the French Diagon Alley."

"Cool!" Hermione answered, looking around at all the shops, which seemed to be even older than many of their British counterparts.

Gaston McAaron was the Quidditch store there, and of course Fred insisted they go in and check it out. Even Hermione had to admit it was pretty cool. Everything just seemed so much fancier and more intricate than it was back home!

"Harry would love this!" Hermione said, picking up a broom care set, specially made for Firebolts. It came with wood polish for the handle, silver polish for the accents, gold plated shears for trimming the bristles, special rags, and even a bag that could have his name written on it in fancy gold letters.

"Get it for his birthday!" Fred said. "It's fancy and French. He'll love it."

"But how will I explain where I got it? We're supposed to be back in England with my parents." Hermione reminded him.

Fred just shrugged. "What's to say we didn't take a trip to France with your parents?"

"I guess it would be nice to make the lie as small as possible." Hermione agreed. "Alright, I'll get it."

Fred nodded. "I'm going to go grab something across the street while you get his name on it. He gently kissed her forehead and smiled as he walked out the door.

Hermione went to the counter and placed 5 galleons and some loose knuts on top. The man passed her a form to fill out, and she scrawled "Harry Potter" in the inscription section. She even chose to have him add a little golden snitch stitched onto the bag as well.

Just as the man was finishing up the spell, Fred came back into the shop with two butterbeers.

"Thanks!" Hermione said as she took a drink. The man wrapped up Harry's present and put it in a bag, nodding his thanks and putting away the coins.

"We should get back to the hotel and get our bags. Mum is expecting us back at The Burrow in a few hours. We've got to go to Diagon Alley tomorrow for school supplies!"

"I can't believe the school year is starting already!" Hermione pulled Fred off onto a small side road and kissed him. "I've had the most wonderful summer of my life, Fred, really. I don't know how I would have gotten through it if I hadn't had you here with me."

Fred smiled. "I'm sure you would have done just fine." He assured her as he ran his fingers gently through her hair, trying to be modest.

"No really!" Hermione said as they started walking again, toward the hotel. "I wouldn't have had any place to go, no company, and I probably would have been scared out of my mind. I'm so luchy to have you to help me this year!"

"I'll do anything for you, 'Mione." Fred promised. "Whatever you need, I'm here."

Chapter Text

Fred and Hermione landed in the Weasleys' front yard with a crack. Harry, Ron, George, Ginny, and Bill were all playing Quidditch and waved at them from the air.

Molly wiped her hands on her apron and came to hug them. "Hello, dears! Did you have a nice time?"

"Oh yeah! Hermione's parents were great! And we went to France!" Fred answered, winking at Hermione when Molly turned her back. Hermione smiled.

"My parents just loved Fred! And we saw the Eiffel Tower, visited some really great bakeries and museums, and Fred even showed us how to get into Place Cachee!"

"Well I'm glad you two enjoyed yourselves. Now, go ahead and take your bags upstairs and join the others outside. Dinner will be ready soon." Molly smiled.

Fred drug his trunk upstairs and then turned around to see Hermione struggling with hers. "You're not going to fall in love with me if I help you with your trunk again, are you?" He asked as he took the handle.

Hermione grinned as she watched him pull the trunk into Ginny's bedroom. "Too late!"

Fred laughed as he turned around and wrapped his arms around her. "I guess it's a good thing I love you too, then isn't it?" A shiver ran down Hermione's spine as Fred whispered lightly in her ear.

"I had a really great time with you, by the way." Fred said as he let her go.

Hermione smiled. "I'm glad."

Fred slung his arm around Hermione's shoulder as they walked downstairs to join the others.

"Hey, Forge!" Goerge called from the air. "Glad to see you're back from galavanting with your girlfriend! I could really use some help with these bludgers up here!"

Fred smiled as he removed his arm from Hermione's shoulder and kissed her quickly on the cheek. "Later, 'Mione! Duty calls!" He ran quickly to get his broom and bat, which George had propped up against the side of the house, and then Hermione watched his float up into the sky to join the game.

Hermion smiled and went inside to get a book, then came out and positioned herself under a tree, where she was able to watch her friends. She kept the book open against her knees, but she had to admit, she was looking at Fred more than the book.He was always so happy, but he was usually the happiest when he was playing Quidditch. Hermione loved seeing him smile. It was so infectious, so genuine. It made her believe that, even if she didn't know the details of the things that were going to happen the next few years, everything would be OK.

Hermione was preoccupied watching Fred, and she didn't even see Molly come out of the house and sit down next to her. "I've never seen him so happy, you know." She said, jerking Hermione from her daydreams.

"I always hoped Fred would find someone like you." Molly said. "He's smart. Much smarter than he knows, but I'm sure you've realized that by now. He just needs someone to encourage him. He needs someone to believe in him."

"He makes me happy too!" Hermione answered. "You have such a wonderful family. I'll admit I am a little partial to Fred." She said looking shyly down at her book and pushing her hair behind her ear. She looked back up at Molly as she finished. "But really, all of you are so incredible. Ginny and Ron are two of my very best friends, and you and Arthur have been like second parents to me. I want to thank you so much for accepting me into your home and your family. I don't know what I would do without you."

Molly smiled. "You're always welcome here, whether you're dating my sons or not. But it's always been a pleasure to have you here and I could not think of anyone better for any of my boys to be with."

Molly hugged her before standing up and announcing dinner. Everyone circled around and landed their brooms. Fred ran up behind Hermione and put his arm around her, eliciting a very interested look from George. Fred just rolled his eyes.

After dinner, Fred excused himself to his room so that he and George could work on some of their products. Hermione and Ginny went to her room where Ginny began trying (and failing) to teach Hermione to play Wizard's Chess. Although, it was probably only going poorly because Ginny was more concerned about getting details about Hermione's relationship with Fred than she was in actually teaching.

Hermione smiled knowingly, preferring to keep the details to herself, much to Ginny's dismay. Finally, she got up and reached into her trunk, pulling out Harry's birthday present.

She walked across the hall and knocked lightly on Ron's bedroom door.

"I just wanted to give Harry his birthday present." Hermione said when Ron answered the door. He opened it wider so she could come in and sit down on the floor across from Harry.

"Fred and I went to Place Cachee when we were in France." She explained, then quickly added "With my parents."

Harry pulled the bag out and smiled at his name and the snitch embroidered neatly on the side.

"There was a quidditch store with loads of really great stuff. I hope you like this though. I thought of you when I saw it."

"It's great, Hermione. Thank you!"

She sat on the floor with Ron and Harry for a while, talking about Voldemor's return, the rumors in the Prophet, and what the Order members might be talking about downstairs.

"I should probably go to bed." Hermione said finally, getting up off the floor.

"Goodnight, Hermione." Ron and Harry both said at the same time as she walked out the door.

She ran into Fred on her way out as he left the bathroom.

"I was hoping I might see you again tonight!" He smiled and took her hand to pull her closer. "We met like this last year, if you remember."

Hermione smiled, purposely putting her hand on his chest this time. "I do remember that. I actually thought..." She started, trailing off.

"You thought what?" He smiled, knowingly.

"I actually thought you were going to kiss me that night." She admitted shyly.

Fred laughed. "I thought about it actually. I chickened out, though. At the time, I wasn't sure if you liked me."

"You should have just tried it!"

"Well, I won't make that mistake again this year." Fred grinned widely as he pulled her close so that there was no space between them. He held her tight as if he wanted to bring her even closer.

He looked straight into her eyes, gently brushing the hair from her face before pressing his lips firmly against hers. She kissed him back too, lightly at first, and then all at once. She let herself get lost in it for a moment- in the taste of his lips, the way they felt as they moved perfectly with hers.

She didn't want it to end. She never wanted it to end. And perhaps it wouldn't have, were it not for the soft sound of someone clearing his throat behind them.

"Evening..." George smiled, leaning up against a doorpost.

"Goodnight, 'Mione." Fred laughed, backing up and joining George in their room, hitting him lightly in the arm.

Chapter Text

The summer had been busy- full of multiple unsuccessful attempts to spy on the Order at Grimmauld Place, Harry's near expulsion, and (Hermione's favorite) an incredibly romantic trip to Paris. But finally it was time to return to Hogwarts. Seeing Sirius created a strange sense of duty and emotion in Hermione. Knowing how much Harry cared about him, how drastically different his life would be if Sirius were to live, Hermione felt more emotionally prepared for the task ahead. She only hoped she would be able to follow through.

Hermione sat with Harry and Ron on the train. She felt like she had seen so little of them since she started dating Fred. Of course that wasn't true. The three of them were still seen as practically inseparable by the rest of the school. But compared to the amount of time she had spent with them the last time around, it did seem as though she was due for some quality time with her two best friends. Fred didn't seem to mind. He and George went to sit with Lee and show him some of their latest Wizarding Wheezes ideas.

Hermione was glad for the time to spend with Ron and Harry, and for the opportunity to feel Harry out a bit about the upcoming year.

"Things are going to be pretty crazy at Hogwarts this year." Ron said. "Dad said that the Ministry is interfering in virtually everything. They're afraid Dumbledore is spreading lies about You-Know-Who."

"It's not a lie!" Harry insisted. "I saw it with my own two eyes. What do thing- Cedric just dropped dead on his own?"

"You know that, and I know that. Dumbledore knows. But the Ministry has a lot of pull. If they tell people that they think Dumbledore is bonkers, people are going to believe it." Hermione responded.

"I just hope everyone figures it out soon. It's not exactly something you can go on living in denial about."

Harry shook his head. "That's what the Ministry is doing these days. It's how they can get away with telling everyone that there's no way Dudley and I were attacked by dementors this summer."

"Things are definitely getting more complicated." Hermione agreed. She tried to think of a way she could prepare Harry for the onslaught of criticism and ridicule he was about to walk into, but she couldn't come up with much. "We're just going to have to stick together, Harry. You always have Ron and me on your side, and Dumbledore as well. O'm sure the Order is already on top of it."

After the feast, Hermione curled up in a chair in the common room and opened a book. A strong pair of arms grabbed her from the back. "Fred!" She laughed. "I know it's you."

"I have to tell you something. "Fred said. "Georgie and I are keeping it a secret, but I don't suppose I should keep it from you, seeing as you're my girlfriend and whatnot." After all this time, Hermione still loved hearing Fred say that word.

"Besides, I have a feeling you already know what I'm going to say." Fred smiled.

"You're not staying until the end of term, are you?" Hermione said. Fred nodded. "George and I are going to buy a storefront in Diagon Alley and open a joke shop.

"I understand. I just don't know what I'm going to do without you here! Who's going to help me?" Hermione said quietly.

"I'll still help you!" Fred promised. "Every weekend! I'll come visit you at Hogsmeade and we'll work through everything together."

He took her hand, pulling her up from her seat and into a tight hug. "I'm not leaving you to do this on your own. I love you. Hermione."

He kissed her gently, and then said "I have something for you, too."

Fred pulled a small silver heart shaped locket from his pocket and handed it to Hermione. "I know it's a few days early, but I wanted to be the first one to wish you a happy birthday. And I've been holding onto this for so long, I couldn't wait to give it to you."

Hermione took the locket and smiled. "It's beautiful! Thank you!" She said, running her thumb over the lion engraved on the front. Whe she opened it, she saw the words "Forever and Always- Fred" neatly engraved inside.

He grinned. "It's enchanted, too!" He said, holding up his right hand, where he wore a simple silver ring on his index finger. "Hold the necklace in your hand."

Hermione did, and she watched as Fred rubbed the ring on his finger. She felt the locket heat up in her hand. "That's incredible!"

Fred smiled. "Yours does it too. That way, no matter where wee are or how far apart we are, if one of us feels that, we'll know the other is thinking about us."

"It's perfect, Fred. Thank you!" She meant it too. It was, without a doubt, the greatest gift she had ever received. And she knew it would come in handy later on too, not only to feel Fred with her when they were apart, but so that he would know she was alive. And vice versa. She chose not to mention that part now though. Not yet. For now, she allowed Fred to put the necklace around her neck and vowed to never take it off. She rubbed the metal in her hand and smiled as she saw Fred turn the ring on his finger. She felt the necklace heat up in her hand once again. She let herself be overwhelmed with the incredible feeling that Fred Weasley was in love with her. As she felt him wrap his arms around her, she wished she could stay here forever, that he never had to let her go.

Things with Umbridge were even worse than Hermione remembered them, and Hermione had to restrain herself from suggesting they start Dumbledore's army as soon as Umbridge gave her opening speech.

When the time did come to start the DA, Hermione caught Fred betting on her to beat Ron. She knew she probably should have been mad, but she couldn't help but smile.

"Did you get what you were hoping for?" Hermione laughed, going up to Fred at the end of their session.

"Of course! George should have known better than to bet against my girl!" He said loudly, throwing his arm around her as they left the room.

Everything was progressing nicely, and Hermione just had to wiat (rather impatiently) for her time to come. And not so impatiently for the time when Fred would be leaving.

Chapter Text

The year dragged on, nothing more eventful than it had been the first time, except for the fact that Hermione was desperate to sneak as many moments with Fred as she could. Since Hermione had already learned everything that they studied in her classes, she spent most of her time fantasizing about handing Umbridge over to the centaurs a bit early.

Hermione was sitting in the common room one morning, mindlessly flipping through a book and nervously twirling her hair, when Fred came and sat down next to her.

"Come on." He said, taking her hand and dragging her quickly out towards Hogsmeade.

Fred and Hermione wandered around the stores, talking about nothing of importance so that they could avoid the subject that neither of them wanted to bring up. After lunch at the Three Broomsticks, they stocked up on candy from Honeydukes and headed for the privacy of the Shrieking Shack.

The place had always kind of given Hermione the creeps, but she wasn't going to be attacked by a Death Eater disguised as a rat this time, so there was nothing to be afraid of. Besides, they needed a place where they were certain no one would hear them.

Dusting off the table, Fred sat down and dumped out their stash, heading straight for the Fizzing Whisbees. Hermione took a chocolate frog, and without looking at him asked "Are we finally going to talk about it?"

Fred smiled. "I can't get anything past you, can I?"

"Are you sure you have to go?" Hermione asked.

Fred smiled and took her hand from across the table. "I'm sure. But I promise, you won't be in this alone. I will meet you right here every Sunday at exactly 10 AM.

Hermione nodded, quickly wiping the tear from her eye and hoping that Fred hadn't seen it.

"Now, let's talk about Sirius. Are we going to save him or what?" Fred asked, leaning back in his chair. Hermione laughed. "Definitely."

"Ok, so tell me again. It's you, Ron, Harry, Ginny, Neville, and Luna, right?"

Hermione nodded. "Along with Sirius and a few others from the Order, and a whole bunch of Death Eaters. I was actually unconscious for most of it, but I've heard the story a dozen times."

"Do you think you can keep from being unconscious?" Fred grinned. Hermione nodded. "I know when it's going to happen, so I can avoid it."

"And you know when Sirius is going to die?" Fred asked. Hermione nodded again. "I've heard Harry tell the story a thousand times. It's just as Dumbledore arrives. Neville shouts Dumbledore's name and Bellatrix is dueling with Sirius. I minute or so later, he's gone."

Fred nodded, thinking. "So if you can petrify or stun Bellatrix from behind just as Dumbledore arrives, you can duck in and save Sirius."

"I think I can do that." Hermione said quietly. Or at least she hoped she could. But it was the best chance she had.

"I know you can." Fred assured her. They gathered up their candy wrappers and began heading back to the castle, just as the sun was setting.

When they reached the castle doors, Hermione threw her arms around Fred. "I'm going to miss you so much. Thank you for helping me and being there for me. I don't think I could have done this without you."

Fred let one of his hands bury itself in her hair as he hugged her back, tighter than normal. "Of course. I'm always here for you. And I'll miss you too, but I promise you'll see me every week." He let go and looked her in the eye. "Do you really think I could go longer than that without seeing you?"

Fred kissed her gently, and Hermione smiled, knowing he was telling the truth. "You'll still be at breakfast tomorrow, right?"

"Of course! We're going to act like everything is perfectly normal until our big explosive exit!" Fred winked at her and then took her hand as they entered the castle.

"Are you sure you don't need me to stay?" Fred asked as they got back to the common room. "I could come with you to the Ministry."

Hermione shook her head. "No, everything else has to stay the same. Otherwise it's too many variables and just another person to keep track of. I'll be fine, I promise."

Fred nodded. "Well, be careful all the same." He planted a quick kiss on her lips before heading upstairs. "Goodnight!" He called.

She smiled, putting her fingers gently to her lips, where she could still just barely feel his. Goodnight, Fred!" She called after him as she headed up the opposite staircase.

The next morning at breakfast, anyone who was paying attention probably could have seen that something was different with Fred. He was always affectionate with Hermione, but he spent the entire meal with his arm draped over her shoulder and didn't really pay attention to anyone but her. Even when George would shoot him excited looks in expectation of their grand exit later, he could only lightly smile back before looking back at Hermione.

Hermione raced through her tests faster than usual, and sat patiently waiting for the sound of...

BOOM!

Hermione stifled a laugh. The look on Umbridge's face was priceless.

CRACK!

Again, the perfect combination of anger, fear, and total confusion as two giddy read heads rode in on broomsticks, accompanied by an impressive display of pyrotechnics. The whole class erupted in laughter as Umbridge was chased out of the room by a fiery dragon. Everyone rushed out to see the grand finale as Fred and Geprge rode off, cheered on by a soundtrack of the loudest applause Hermione had ever heard. And though the first time she had thought they were total idiots, this time she couldn't help but smile.

"I love you, Hermione Granger" Fred shouted from the skies. Hermione instantly turned a thousand shades of pink as a chorus of "oooohhs" erupted among the crowd. Several people nudged her and winked, and she was sure she even saw a few girls turning green with uncontrollable jealousy. And though she couldn't control the slight feeling of embarrassment from being called out so publicly, she also realized she couldn't stop smiling.

And as Fred and George disappeared into the distance, Hermione whispered "I love you too, Fred Weasley."